Photo gallery: Bring your veterinary practice to life with art

Local Sonoma Valley sculptor Jim Callahad was very involved in the placement of his playful bronze trio of cat, dog, and ball at PetCare Veterinary Hospital in Santa Rosa, Calif. A thick stainless-steel rod was set deep into the locally quarried stone base and epoxied to support the dog's exuberant shape.

At Fry Pet Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, each exam room has a theme that is highlighted by a Thomas Manglesen wildlife photograph and a matching room label. Each photograph features a museum style label that describes the scene.

Local artist Rodman Miller designed this glass sculpture behind the reception desk at Animal Surgical Clinic of Seattle in Shoreline, Wa., specifically for the new hospital. "The end result was even better than I hoped," says veterinary architect Wendy Wheeler Martinez, a partner at BDA Architecture. "This piece delivers great juxtaposition with the organic forms of the piece and the surrounding hard edges of the interior architecture."

The main lobby of Charleston Veterinary Referral Center in Charleston, S.C., features this large mural painted by a local artist. The practice owners incorporated this unique piece of art to reflect Charleston’s surrounding beauty, a landscape that clients will recognize and appreciate.

A large mural arches over the reception desk and works together with stone tile floors, exposed ceiling timbers, and earthy browns and greens to give the reception area at Ballston Spa Veterinary Clinic in Ballston Spa, N.Y., a warm, welcoming feel.

At Town and Country Veterinary Hospital in Warren, Ohio, an interior designer worked with several local artists to develop the art that decorates their waiting and reception areas. You can see one example here.

One of the key design objectives for the team at Westbury Animal Hospital in Houston, Texas, (Veterinary Economics 2009 Hospital of the Year) was to create a bright, pleasant environment for clients, doctors, and staff. Attractive framed art —and three recessed scales—are just a couple of the elements that contribute to their "wow" facility.

The wall shelving in this hall in Charleston Veterinary referral Center, located in Charleston, S.C., organizes smaller art elements into one larger display. At the base of the brick wall, you can see the recessed scale en route to exam rooms.